Irish Wedding Attire Reflects Culture and Traditions

From formal to casual, the wedding attire is reflective of a couple’s personal style and creativity. It complements the wedding design by reflecting the traditions inherent in the couple’s background.

In Irish weddings, the groom may opt to wear a kilt, or a knee length skirt, often made of wool fabric, with pleats. The kilt dates to the early 1600s in ancient Ireland and Scotland. As a part of the culture, kilts are one way to ensure the ceremony’s pomp and circumstance pays tribute to ancestral traditions.

A longer kilt is 8 yards, making a back and forth movement, as the groom walks. This simple swaying of the fabric helps the groom to project a regal image. The shorter kilt, at 5 yards, is a nice choice to keep cool in warm weather. However, in terms of appearance, it does not sway as much as the longer kilt.

Choosing a matching vest and tie will depend entirely on whether the groom wants a formal or informal look. A neck tie for less formal events or a bow tie for black tie affairs, the kilt is flexible. The groom can dress it up or dress it down for the occasion.

According to Irish traditions, the bride’s dress colour does not have to be white. Up until the 15th century, most brides chose blue, because blue stands for purity. This tradition evolved into brides carrying “something blue,” with them during the ceremony, as a reflection of the bride’s virtue.

Irish brides sometimes incorporate a tartan sash with the gown that matches the colour of the groom’s quilt. A tartan sash is worn diagonally across the front of the dress for both formal and informal occasions.

An Irish wedding venue affords a couple the perfect opportunity to incorporate traditional Celtic dress into the wedding ceremony to fully experience the country’s charming culture.